From coast to coast, America is jam-packed with amazing foods and local specialties.

From regional delicacies to to-die-for dishes, we found the one thing you should eat in every state.

We chose the most iconic and famous dishes, taking local recommendations into consideration, and picking items you simply can't get anywhere else.

Talia Avakian contributed to an earlier version of this post.

ALABAMA: Fried green tomatoes

Fried green tomatoes
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Fried green tomatoes are an iconic Southern side dish consisting of unripe tomatoes fried in cornmeal, and were made famous by the 1987 novel “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café” and the subsequent movie based on it.

FLORIDA: Key Lime Pie

Key Lime Pie is believed to have been invented by sponge fishermen in the Keys, who would have condensed milk, eggs, and lime aboard their boats when traveling for long periods of time, and no access to an oven.

HAWAII: Poké

IDAHO: Potato chowder

Idaho is sometimes called the "Potato State," so enjoy its main crop as a creamy potato chowder with diced bacon on top.

ILLINOIS: Deep dish

Deep dish
INSIDER

Despite being highly polarizing (you're either a New York-style or Chicago-style pizza lover), there's no doubt that deep-dish pizza, with its thick flour-and-cornmeal crust, is Illinois' signature dish.

LOUISIANA: Po' boy

Po' boys are sandwiches stuffed with fried catfish, oysters, soft-shell crab, or even gator. Legend has it that they were invented by two restaurant owners and former streetcar conductors in New Orleans who created them to feed their colleagues, who were on a strike against the streetcar company in 1929.

MARYLAND: Crab cakes

You can't go wrong with anything crab-related in Maryland, famous for the eponymous Maryland crab. Indulge in a tender, buttery crab cake lightly spiced with Old Bay seasoning, a Maryland original blend of herbs and spices.

MASSACHUSETTS: Clam chowder

Clam chowder is a New England tradition — American author Joseph C. Lincoln even wrote “The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought for – or on – clam chowder; part of it at least, I am sure it was.” New England clam chowder, sometimes called Boston chowder, unlike its many impostors, is cream-based and full of potatoes — and never, ever tomatoes.

MISSISSIPPI: Catfish

Almost 60% of the country’s farm-raised catfish hails from Mississippi, so it comes as no surprise that the bewhiskered fish is a popular dish here, usually grilled, blackened, or fried to crispy, flaky perfection.

MISSOURI: Toasted ravioli

Breaded and deep fried ravioli, known as toasted ravioli, is a popular appetizer in Missouri, where it's usually served with a side of marinara sauce. A handful of establishments claim to have invented the dish, though most will agree it originated in "the Hill," the Italian neighborhood of St. Louis, when a ravioli was accidentally dropped in a deep fryer.

MONTANA: Huckleberry pie

Huckleberry pie
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Savor a sweet and rich slice of huckleberry pie. The berries are native to high altitudes, like the high mountains of Montana, and make the perfect filling for a decadent pie.

NEVADA: All-you-can-eat hotel buffets

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Apple crisp

With over 30 orchards that offer the chance to pick fresh apples, New Hampshire is known for having a delicious apple crisp — apples covered in sugar, cinnamon, oats, and butter. Top it with a scoop of fresh ice cream.

NEW JERSEY: Pork rolls

Pork roll (or Taylor ham) is a well-known regional staple in New Jersey and consists of a processed pork product made with a mix of salt, spices, and sugar cure before being smoked and packaged. Try it in a breakfast sandwich with egg and cheese.

OKLAHOMA: Chicken-fried steak

Oklahoma is a major cattle-ranching state that produces incredibly fresh and tender meat. Chicken-fried steak is a scrumptious, breaded piece of thin and tenderized beefsteak that often comes with sides like fried okra and grits.

OREGON: Marionberry pie

Oregon is renowned for its berries and the marionberry is no exception. Dubbed the "Cabernet of blackberries" thanks to their complex flavor, they are a popular choice for pie fillings. Top off your slice with a scoop of creamy ice cream for an unforgettable dessert.

PENNSYLVANIA: Cheesesteak

Make sure to try the famous cheesesteak in Philadelphia, which consists of a long, crusty roll stuffed with rib-eye beef and either melted Provolone cheese or Cheese Whiz. Toppings can include fried onions, mushrooms, and peppers.

RHODE ISLAND: Clam cakes

Clam cakes
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Clam cakes are a Rhode Island classic — clams are chopped up straight into dough, then deep-fried.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and Grits — fresh shrimp served on a bed of simmered milled corn — is a classic dish in South Carolina. Mix-ins can include everything from bacon, garlic, and lemon to mushroom and scallions.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Kuchen

Kuchen
Kristen Griffin

Enjoy a piece of kuchen — the German word for cake and the official state dessert of South Dakota. Kuchen comes in varieties that include pie-like pastries, coffee cakes, cheesecakes, and rolled pastries.

UTAH: Pastrami cheeseburger

For meat lovers, there’s nothing better than mounds of thinly sliced pastrami stacked on a charbroiled cheeseburger. This concoction popped up in Utah in the 1980s, and has been a local favorite ever since.

VERMONT: Maple syrup

Maple syrup over pancakes.
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Vermont is famous for its sweet, golden maple syrup, which locals will generously pour over everything, from pancakes to pork chops.

WASHINGTON, DC: Ben's Famous All Meat Chili Dog

Step into Ben's Chili Bowl and order Ben's Famous All Meat Chili Dog, a pork hot dog that's served on a warm steamed bun with mustard, onions, and topped with a healthy portion of homemade chili sauce.

WEST VIRGINIA: Pepperoni rolls

Pepperoni rolls can be found on almost every corner of West Virginia. The meat-and-cheese-filled dough rolls were once a popular lunch option among coal miners, but have become a favorite throughout the state.